Ezra 1:8
What does Ezra 1:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 1:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 1:8 means
The return of the vessels is conducted with accountability. Cyrus entrusts the process to Mithredath the treasurer, who carefully numbers the items and delivers them to Sheshbazzar, called “the prince of Judah.” This shows administrative care and recognizes legitimate Jewish leadership for the return. By numbering the vessels, the record protects against loss or misuse, ensuring they arrive for holy service in Jerusalem. Sheshbazzar’s title indicates royal or gubernatorial authority within Judah under Persian oversight. God uses ordered means, proper stewardship, and recognized leaders to advance His purposes, pairing spiritual restoration with responsible, transparent handling of sacred trust.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Even these Cyrus made Mithredath, the keeper of his wealth, get out, and he gave them, after numbering them, to Sheshbazzar, the ruler of Judah.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862yea, Cyrus king of Persia bringeth them out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbereth them to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now Cyrus king of Persia brought them forth by the hand of Mithridates the son of Gazabar, and numbered them to Sassabasar the prince of Juda.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Cyrus king of Persia brought them forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.
Context
Building on verse 7’s announcement that temple vessels were released, this verse details the careful handover to named officials. It transitions from the fact of restoration to its orderly execution. The introduction of Sheshbazzar as “the prince of Judah” sets him as a key figure in the return, preparing for the inventory that follows in verses 9–11. The focus on numbering signals that what comes next is a precise account, underscoring the seriousness and holiness of the items being restored to Jerusalem.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 1:11
All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up, when they of the captivity were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
- Haggai 2:2
Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying,
- Zechariah 4:6
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of Jehovah unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.
- Ezra 5:14
And the gold and silver vessels also of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
- Haggai 1:14
And Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work on the house of Jehovah of hosts, their God,
- Ezra 5:16
Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundations of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not completed.